Hadith #11132

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "التَّقْوى رَأسُ الحَسَناتِ۔" This can be translated as,

God-wariness is the cornerstone [all] of good deeds.

To fully comprehend the depth and significance of this Hadith, it is essential to explore the meanings of the key words.

Firstly, (taqwa) "التَّقْوى" refers to God-wariness or piety. It encompasses a deep sense of consciousness and fear of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), which leads to the avoidance of sins and the performance of righteous acts. Taqwa is a fundamental concept in Islam, emphasized throughout the Quran.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13),

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous (أَتْقَاكُمْ) of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

Secondly, (ra's) "رَأسُ" means the cornerstone or the foundation. It signifies the essential and pivotal aspect of something. In this Hadith, it refers to taqwa being the foundation upon which all good deeds are built. Just as a building relies on a solid cornerstone for stability and strength, our good deeds rely on taqwa for their acceptance and effectiveness.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the impactful message of this Hadith. For instance, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do - Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is taqwa. So fear Me, O you of understanding.

This verse highlights the importance of taqwa during the pilgrimage of Hajj, emphasizing that the best provision one can take on this sacred journey is taqwa. It demonstrates that taqwa is not only the foundation of good deeds in general but also specifically in the context of fulfilling religious obligations.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize taqwa in all aspects of their lives. It encourages us to cultivate a deep consciousness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and to let it guide our actions and decisions. By doing so, our good deeds become sincere and pleasing to Allah, as they are rooted in a genuine fear and love for Him.

Moreover, this Hadith highlights the significance of intention in our deeds. When taqwa is the foundation of our actions, it ensures that our intentions are pure and focused on seeking the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) alone. It prevents us from performing deeds for the sake of recognition or worldly gains, as our ultimate goal becomes the attainment of Allah's pleasure and the eternal rewards in the Hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the pivotal role of taqwa as the cornerstone of all good deeds. It urges Muslims to prioritize God-wariness in their lives, as it is the foundation upon which their actions should be built. By cultivating taqwa, we ensure the sincerity and acceptance of our deeds, allowing us to attain closeness to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and the ultimate success in both this world and the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody taqwa in all aspects of our lives.